Best Movies About Sailing

From Wolfgang Petersen, starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch
Rated R

The Boat is a 1981 German drama film written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen. It tells the story of a family of four who, after the death of their father, must try to survive in a small boat on the open sea. The family consists of the mother, two sons, and daughter. When their boat is damaged, they are forced to take refuge on a deserted island. With limited supplies and a limited chance of rescue, the family must learn to work together and survive against all odds. The film chronicles their struggles and the bonds that develop between them as they strive to stay alive.

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Rated PG-13

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a 2003 American adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio. It is the first installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series and stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, alongside Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush, Jack Davenport and Jonathan Pryce. The film follows pirate Jack Sparrow as he teams up with Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann to save Elizabeth's father, Governor Weatherby Swann, from the cursed crew of the Black Pearl, led by Captain Hector Barbossa. In order to save them, Jack and his crew must break an ancient curse that has been placed upon the ship and its crew, a curse that turns them into the undead. Along the way, they face a variety of obstacles, including battling an undead crew, a fearsome pirate ship, and an island full of cursed Aztec gold. In the end, Jack and his crew must fight for their freedom and break the curse of the Black Pearl.

From Victor Fleming, starring Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas
Rated G

Captains Courageous is a 1937 adventure drama film directed by Victor Fleming, based on the 1897 novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling. It stars Spencer Tracy as a Portuguese fisherman, Manuel Fidello, and Freddie Bartholomew as Harvey Cheyne, an arrogant and spoiled son of an American railroad tycoon. When Harvey falls off an ocean liner, Manuel saves him from drowning and takes him to his fishing village. As Manuel and the other fishermen prepare for a long voyage at sea, Harvey is taught the importance of hard work and responsibility. Along the way, Harvey experiences danger and excitement, as he battles a giant squid and takes part in a daring rescue. In the end, Harvey returns home a changed person, ready to use his newfound wisdom to make a difference in the world.

From Directors: Louise Osmond, Jerry Rothwell, starring Tilda Swinton, Donald Crowhurst, Ted Hynds, Robin Knox-Johnston
Rated PG

Deep Water is a 2006 documentary film directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell. It follows the story of Donald Crowhurst, an amateur sailor who participated in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, a non-stop around-the-world sailing race, in 1968. The film follows Crowhurst's journey as he attempts to circumnavigate the globe against the odds. As the race progresses, Crowhurst is beset by personal and financial difficulties and begins to experience psychological strain. With increasing pressure from his family, sponsors, and the world's media, he is forced to make a dramatic and ultimately tragic decision. Deep Water features interviews with family, friends, and fellow sailors to create an in-depth portrait of Crowhurst's story and its social and cultural context. It is an exploration of ambition, courage, and the consequences of failure.

From George Butler, starring Liam Neeson, Julian Ayer, John Blackborow, David Cale
Rated G

The Endurance is a documentary about Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition in 1914. The film follows Shackleton's crew as they embark on a journey to become the first to cross the Antarctic continent. After their ship, the Endurance, is crushed in the ice, they are stranded and must make a daring escape by boat to Elephant Island. The crew then faces extreme conditions while they await rescue. After months of waiting, Shackleton makes a remarkable 800-mile voyage across the treacherous Southern Ocean in a 20-foot lifeboat, eventually finding help and rescuing his entire crew. The documentary showcases the incredible courage, tenacity, and leadership of the crew that enabled them to survive the extreme conditions and make it out alive.

From Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez, Lari White
Rated PG-13

Cast Away is a 2000 drama film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The film tells the story of Chuck Noland, a FedEx employee whose life is thrown into chaos when his plane crashes in the South Pacific and he finds himself stranded on a remote island. With nothing more than his will to survive, Chuck must make use of the island's resources to survive and ultimately find a way back to civilization. Along the way, Chuck must confront his own inner demons and struggle to find meaning in his life, as he struggles to survive in his lonely, alien environment.

From Stacy Peralta, starring Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, Dave Kalama, Jeff Clark
Rated PG-13

Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary film directed by Stacy Peralta. The film examines the history and culture of surfing and its evolution from an unknown pastime to a worldwide phenomenon. It showcases the lives of some of the greatest surfers of all time, including Greg Noll, Laird Hamilton, and others. It highlights the challenges these men and women faced in mastering the ocean's ever-changing energy and using it to their advantage. The film also examines the impact that surfing has had on the culture of coastal communities around the world. Ultimately, it celebrates the thrill of the great ride, conveying the joy and passion of a generation of surfers who transformed a hobby into a lifestyle.

From John Huston, starring Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Morley, Peter Bull
Rated PG

The African Queen is a 1951 adventure drama film directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Set in German East Africa during World War I, the film follows the unexpected partnership of a small-time riverboat captain and a missionary spinster as they travel together down a dangerous river in a small boat. Along the way, they face obstacles from the elements, hostile natives, and a relentless German warship. With courage, determination, and a simple plan for survival, the two unlikely companions unite in their quest to outwit their enemy. Through their journey, they come to understand the power of a shared purpose, and ultimately find love.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Lionel Atwill, Basil Rathbone
Rated Passed

Captain Blood is an action-adventure romance set during the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean. It follows the story of Peter Blood, an Irish physician enslaved in Jamaica and forced to become a pirate. With the help of his crew, he takes over a Spanish galleon, defeats his former captors, and becomes a feared but respected pirate captain. In the midst of his newfound freedom, he meets and falls in love with Arabella Bishop, the niece of the governor of Jamaica. However, his successes draw the attention of the British Crown, forcing him to choose between loyalty to his newfound cause and the woman he loves. The film features thrilling action scenes, stylish direction, and a memorable score composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

From Directors: John Ford, Mervyn LeRoy, Joshua Logan, starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, Jack Lemmon
Rated Passed

Mister Roberts is a classic comedy-drama film set during World War II, starring Henry Fonda, James Cagney, Jack Lemmon, and William Powell. When Ensign Frank Thurlowe Pulver (Lemmon) is assigned to the USS Reluctant, a run-down cargo ship, he meets the ship's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Morton (Cagney), a rigid, petty officer who has no respect for his crew. The ship's morale plummets until the arrival of the new Executive Officer, Lieutenant (j.g.) Douglas A. "Doug" Roberts (Fonda). Roberts immediately begins to challenge Morton's authority, demanding better treatment for the crew, and more freedom for them to enjoy. As the film progresses, Roberts quickly becomes a beloved leader, inspiring his crew to work towards their goal of a return to port. Meanwhile, the tension between Roberts and Morton continues to rise until it reaches a boiling point, and Roberts is forced to take a stand against Morton to protect the crew and the ship. Ultimately, Roberts is successful in his mission, and he is given the opportunity to resign from his post and transfer to a combat unit. He chooses to stay with the crew, and leads

From John McTiernan, starring Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill
Rated PG

The Hunt for Red October is an action-thriller film directed by John McTiernan. Set during the Cold War, the film follows a Soviet captain, Marko Ramius, who plans to defect to the United States with his advanced nuclear submarine, the Red October. The U.S. government attempts to track him down and prevent him from launching a nuclear warhead while the Soviet Navy also attempts to recover the submarine and its captain. With the help of CIA analyst Jack Ryan, the U.S. Navy races across the Atlantic to catch up to Red October and prevent a potential disaster. Along the way, they must outwit the Soviets and outmaneuver the treacherous sea in a thrilling cat-and-mouse game that could change the course of history.

From Peter Weir, starring Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd, James D'Arcy
Rated PG-13

From Dana Brown, starring Laird Hamilton, Layne Beachley, Dan Malloy, Robert August
Rated PG

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Jack Davenport
Rated PG-13

From Directors: Lewis Milestone, Carol Reed, starring Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard, Richard Harris, Hugh Griffith
Rated Not Rated

From Wes Anderson, starring Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Anjelica Huston, Cate Blanchett
Rated R

From Directors: Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg, starring Pål Sverre Hagen, Anders Baasmo, Gustaf Skarsgård, Odd-Magnus Williamson
Rated PG-13

From Richard Fleischer, starring Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Rated G

From Gore Verbinski, starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush
Rated PG-13

From Roger Donaldson, starring Mel Gibson, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Edward Fox
Rated PG

From Kim Ki-duk, starring Jung Suh, Yu-seok Kim, Jae-Hyun Cho, Hang-Seon Jang
Rated Not Rated

From Directors: John Sturges, Fred Zinnemann, starring Spencer Tracy, Felipe Pazos, Harry Bellaver, Richard Alameda
Rated Not Rated

From Phillip Noyce, starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, Billy Zane, Rod Mullinar
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda, Dervla Kirwan, Alison Barry
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Amr Waked, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated PG-13